Gray-shade pass card reader

ABSTRACT

A card reader for color cells, calibration and indicia cells are provided.

This is a Continuation of my U.S. Provisional Application, Serial No. 60/038,099, filed Feb. 18, 1997, and claims priority therefrom.

This relates to "identity cards", especially those characterized by "gray-shade" bits.

BACKGROUND, FEATURES

Many current pass card (e.g. identification) systems use a magnetic strip on a card to store coded information. While this method can store many bytes of data, it is prone to data corruption if the card is placed in a strong magnetic field. Over time, the magnetic strip loses its ability to store information, making it necessary to replace the card. Other pass card systems use bar-codes to represent coded information. Bar-codes are unique combinations of like white and black areas that represent coded information. Bar-codes cannot be corrupted other than by physical destruction of the card or the bar-code itself. While information coded as a bar-code can be thought of as fairly permanent, not much data can be stored in a given area.

In response to this, I developed, and herewith describe, a novel "Gray Shade Pass Card Reader" as a new kind of pass card that offers the durability of a bar-code system, yet can store much more information in a given area. A complete system is proposed defining this new pass card and the electronics used to retrieve and process the information encoded thereon.

Objectives

A. To define a new technique for storing small amounts of data on a pass card using of gray areas of various shades, each shade to represent a particular information bit.

B. To define the electronic hardware necessary to successfully retrieve the information from such a gray shade pass card and prepare it for processing by a computer.

C. To describe a working system that uses microcontroller technology to process the code from the pass card, to determine if the code is valid and then allow access to a restricted area.

Workers Will Note Below That

1. The format of such pass cards has been defined. Specific gray shades have been selected to represent the numbers 0 through 7. The pass cards also have calibration areas, plus clock marks, plus an area for determining the direction of the card as it is swiped through a read head.

2. The read head is described along with the electronics that convert each gray shade area to digital data.

3. Also proposed is a microcontroller using the Motorola 68010 microprocessor, and including PROM containing a simple monitor program, plus RAM and a serial interface to a terminal.

4. A schematic defining the electronics; and

5. An outline of the code used by the microcontroller to process the information on the pass card.

Thus, it is an object hereof to address (at least some of) the aforementioned problems, and to provide the hereincited advantages and functions. A related object is to provide a gray shade pass card system.

The methods and means discussed herein, will generally be understood as constructed and operating as presently known in the art, except where otherwise specified; with all materials, methods and devices and apparatus herein understood as implemented by known expedients according to present good practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of advantage of the present invention will be appreciated by workers as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed descriptions of past and present preferred embodiments which should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference symbols denote like elements.

FIG. 1 gives a flow diagram showing operational sequence in our preferred system;

FIG. 1A is a related block diagram schematically indicating a preferred card reader system;

FIG. 2 depicts the preferred format and design of a related gray-shade encoded pass card;

FIG. A-1 through A-5 depicts exemplary cards encoded with various gray-shade bits (simulated); while FIGS. B-1 through B-5 depict respective read-out therefrom;

FIG. 3 gives an exemplary code-field for such cards (gray shade areas);

FIGS. 4-9 give preferred schematic diagrams for a preferred related card reader system.

FIG 10-13 give preferred operational software flow for a related microcontroller, expanding on FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 14, 15 tabulate items from FIGS. 4-9 with particular descriptions thereof.

DETAILS OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A "Gray Shade" Pass Card Reader is here taught that will scan a specially designed pass card PC (see FIG. 2) containing data bits, each stored as a bit-zone (cell) characterized by various shades of gray and printed on the surface of the card. Pass card PC is to be swiped through a read head (see FIG. 1A) containing optical sensors OS that reflect a beam of infra-red light off these bit-zones SA and back to a photo transistor PT (see FIG. 1A). As the beam of light passes over these gray-shaded zones SA (FIG. 2), the amount of light reflected and detected at PT corresponds to a certain "percent of shading". A 0% shade means zero shading and can be considered "white", while a 100% shade means complete shading and can be considered "black". The amount of shading detected can be converted to a code number between 0 and 255 by an 8-bit analog to digital converter (ADC, see FIG. 1A).

A microcontroller MC will continuously test the ADC to see if a number is ready to be processed. Each gray shade readout is shifted and then sequentially added to the other readouts. Once an entire card has been scanned, the combined code number CCN is compared to a list of valid values stored as a look-up table LUT in a memory M. This memory is battery backed up and is thus safe from corruption due to power failure. If a "valid" number is given on a pass card PC, the microcomputer M-C can cause a door to open providing access to a restricted area. Otherwise, all invalid codes are processed by various error handling routines.

The microcontroller MC also monitors a serial RS-232 communication port Cp (FIG. 1A) for input from a terminal.

The flow chart in FIG. 1 gives a preferred sequence of steps for the foregoing.

Specifications, Features and Characteristics (see FIG. 1A)

8-level gray shade optical reader OR, FIG. 1A, with automatic calibration * A Motorola 68010 microprocessor based microcontroller, MC

Battery backed up non-volatile RAM

2-line, 32 character LCD backlit display, Dy

Serial RS-232 communication port, Cp

Solenoid activated door latch, L (card PC can open)

110-120VAC 60 Hz line voltage

A simple black and white bar-code would provide only 256 combinations, whereas this gray shade scheme can provide approximately 16.8 million combinations in the same space.

DESIGN DETAILS

Pass Card Design

A preferred format and design for a gray-shade Pass Card embodiment (see PC in FIG. 2) is as follows:

FIGS. A-1 to A-5 represent a selection of 8 different gray shades to be printed on a pass card PC (see bit-cells on scan-line S-L) i.e. FIGS. A-1 to A-5 show prototype pass cards with gray-shade-coded bit-cells and clock-lines C-L (as in FIG. 2). The printer used is capable of printing at a resolution of 1200 dpi, providing or a high-quality gray shade for the cells. The cards were designed using the drawing features of Microsoft Word for Windows, Ver 6.

The cards labeled DOT.1, DOT.2 and DOT.3 (FIGS. A-1, A-3, A-5) show the 24 different gray shades allowed from MS Word; while FIGS. B-1, -2, -3 represent actual scope traces showing the output of the read head (or FIG. 1A), as it scans the Gray Shade Scan Line (cells) and Clock Lines C-L for respective caards DOT.3, DOT.2, DOT.3. It can be seen that the outputs from so scanning the shade line corresponds to the amount of gray shade for each bit-cell on the card.

From these three readout examples, workers can see that the eight (8) unique gray shades selected provided good voltage separation between each shade (each cell). These 8 different shades are printed on the card labeled DOT2a (FIG. A-2, readout at FIG. B-4). Also, a test of the "worst case" condition was performed with the card labeled DOT2b (FIG. A-5, readout at B-5). This is when each niblet (cell) alternates between 0% and 100% gray shade. For this, the read head must be able to transition quickly enough before the next clock signal is scanned.

FIGS. B-4, B-5 show actual scope traces reflecting the output of the read head as it scans DOT2a and DOT2b.

The DOT2a trace (FIG. B-4) shows that there is a good separation between each of the outputs from the 8 shades selected.

The DOT2b trace (FIG. B-4) also shows that a given shade signal does settle in time to accommodate the next clock signal transitions.

Structure of Records in RAM Containing Valid Codes, Numbers and Names (see FIG. 3)

The Structure begins at address $A000.

At $A000 store the number of records contained in RAM Beginning at $A010 and every $10 thereafter until RAM is exhausted, store the indicated bits in FIG. 3 records.

The IDNUM field of each record is compared against the number scanned from a card (PC). If a match is found, then the name associated with the pass card is displayed on the front display panel (Dy FIG. 1A) and access to the restricted area is granted (latch L), provided that the access byte is set to a value other than 0. This access byte (A-b, FIG. 3) could also represent a level of access or (security) to provide to the pass card holder.

Schematic Drawings

Schematic circuit drawings for preferred versions of related electrical components for the foregoing are given as FIGS. 4-9, (see also FIGS. 14, 15).

Software Block Diagrams (FIGS. 10-13)

FIGS. 10-13 give flow diagrams for preferred software, running on a Motorola 68010 based microcontroller. These expand on the flow diagram of FIG. 1.

Note: FIG. 10 refers to FIG. 11, FIG. 11 refers to FIG. 12, and FIG. 12 refers to FIG. 13.

Note: FIGS. 14, 15 correlate and describe parts called-out in the schematics, of FIGS. 4-9; also a preferred manufacturer is specified in some cases.

SOME NOVEL FEATURES

A pass card using gray-shade "bits". (See PC in FIG. 2, with 8 shade preferences--selected from 24 shades allowed by "MS Word")

with "auto calibrate" bits;

8 shades, 0 to 255, via 8-bit converter (ADC, FIG. 1A)

preferably with clock marks for each bit space or cell (see C-L, FIG. 2)

e.g., Reader checks ID-data base, and if a match is found, enables "entry" (see OR FIG. 1A)

preferably scans entire line, sums bit-numbers (--ID No.), check vs. mem. LUT (see FIGS. 1, 10-14 and schematics of FIGS. 4-9)

IR Reader: (e.g. see OR, FIG. 1A)

Preferably scans with light beam (IR) reflected from gray-shaded-bit cells onto phototransistor PT, which converts the amount of light (intensity, reflected by gray-shade) to a bit-number as encoded (see ADC, FIG. 1A).

CONCLUSION

It will be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are only exemplary, and that the invention is capable of many modifications and variations in construction, arrangement and use without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Since modifications of the invention are possible, for example the means and methods disclosed herein are also applicable for other color shades (encoded), as well as to other card designs; and it will be understood that the present invention is also applicable for enhancing other related color-coded arrays of bit cells (e.g., on cards for entry access).

Examples given above of other possible variations of this invention are merely illustrative. Accordingly, the present invention is to be considered as including all possible modifications and variations within the scope of the invention as defined by and set forth in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A card for scanning in a card reader comprising:a plurality of color cells with each color cell representing encoded information, a plurality of calibration cells capable of being used to calibrate said card reader to read said color cells, and timing indicia for timing the scanning of said calibration cells and said color cells by said card reader.
 2. The card of claim 1 including one a plurality of direction cells for indicating a direction in which said card is scanned by said card reader.
 3. The card of claim 1 in which said color cells are shades of gray.
 4. The card of claim 1 wherein one of the calibration cells corresponds to the color white.
 5. The card of claim 1 wherein one of the calibration cells corresponds to the color black.
 6. The card of claim 1 wherein the calibration cells include respective calibration cells corresponding to the colors black and white.
 7. The card of claim 1 wherein at least one of the color cells is disposed between at least two of the calibration cells.
 8. The card of claim 2 wherein at least one of the color cells are disposed between at least two of the direction cells.
 9. A card reader system comprising:a card including:a plurality of color cells with each color cell representing encoded information, a plurality of calibration cells, and timing indicia for timing a scanning of said calibration cells and color cells, and a card reader capable of scanning said calibration cells, said color cells and said timing indicia to produce an output indicative of the color of said color cells, said card reader having a calibration circuit responding to the reading of said calibration cells to calibrate said card reader to modify said output indicative of the color of said color cells.
 10. The card reader system of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of direction cells for indicating a direction in which said card is scanned by said card reader.
 11. The card reader system of claim 9 in which said color cells are shades of gray.
 12. The card reader system of claim 9 wherein the calibration cells include a calibration cell corresponding to the color white.
 13. The card reader system of claim 9 wherein the calibration cells include a calibration cell corresponding to the color black.
 14. The card reader system of claim 9 wherein the calibration cells include at least two respective calibration cells, one each of the respective calibration cells corresponding to one each of the colors black and white.
 15. The card reader system of claim 9 wherein at least one of the color cells is disposed between at least two of the calibration cells.
 16. The card reader system of claim 10 wherein at least one of the color cells is disposed between at least two of the direction cells.
 17. The card reader system of claim 9 in which said calibration circuit includes an analog to digital converter having lower and upper conversion limits capable of being determined by at least two of said calibration cells.
 18. The card reader system of claim 17 in which said analog to digital converter receives a signal indicative of the color of at least one of said calibration cells, said analog to digital converter providing a digital signal indicative of the color of at least one of said one or more calibration cells to a digital to analog converter having an output, the output of said digital to analog converter provided to a voltage amplifier having an output, the output of said voltage amplifier providing a voltage reference to said analog to digital converter to establish at least one of said upper or lower conversion limits.
 19. The card reader system of claim 18 in which said analog to digital converter is capable of receiving a signal indicative that the color of one of said calibration cells is white, the output of said voltage amplifier providing a voltage reference (Vin-) to said analog to digital converter to establish said lower conversion limit.
 20. The card reader system of claim 18 in which said analog to digital converter is capable of receiving a signal indicative that the color of one of said calibration cells is black, the output of said voltage amplifier providing a voltage reference (Vref) to said analog to digital converter to establish said upper conversion limit.
 21. The card reader system of claim 17, in which said analog to digital converter is capable of receiving a signal indicative that the color of one of said calibration cells is a first color and the color of another of said calibration cells is a second color, said analog to digital converter providing a digital signal indicative of said first color to a first digital to analog converter and a digital signal indicative of said second color to a second digital to analog converter, the output of said first digital to analog converter provided to a first voltage amplifier which provides a voltage reference (Vin-) to said analog to digital converter to establish said lower conversion limit, the output of said second digital to analog converter provided to a second voltage amplifier to provides a voltage reference (Vref) to said analog to digital converter to establish said upper conversion limit.
 22. The card reader system of claim 21 in which said first color is white.
 23. The card reader system of claim 21 in which said second color is black. 